Insured Cover Health Costs of Uninsured

A "hidden health tax" has families paying $1,017 more in health insurance premiums in 2009; according to Families USA, a healthcare advocacy group. Individuals pay an additional $368, the group says.

According to Reuters, a report released Thursday by Families USA said that healthcare providers charge those with private insurance more to cover the cost of care for those without it, and insurers, in turn, raise premiums to pass along the cost. In 2008, people without insurance got about $116 billion worth of healthcare and paid for about 37 percent of the cost.

While government programs and charities paid 26 percent, $42.7 billion was left on the shoulders of the privately insured, the report found.